The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) declared this year’s Rockstone Fish Festival a resounding success, attracting participation from hundreds of local, regional and international tourists over the weekend.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, the festival is one of the GTA’s calendar events that continues to attract larger crowds every year including both locals and foreigners interested in sport fishing.
In addition to the traditional fishing contest for the biggest fish for largest catch, patrons also engaged in other fun, competitive activities such as fish filleting, fish frying, watermelon eating and swimming. Some of the fish caught were the Ariwana, Himara and Lukanani and winners of the various contests were presented with trophies and awards.. The proprietor of the famous Oistins in Barbados also attended the festival. Oistins is the site of the annual Fish Festival in that country where those who contribute to the fishing industry are honoured, the release said.
GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh said, “This is largest crowd since the festival…so many people have left their homes to join in the events at Rock Stone, it is great,” in his address to the gathering at Rockstone. He said the ministry continues to endorse and support the community and that sport fishing has vast potential for growth in Guyana. He also gave assurances that the ministry will be working with stakeholders to make this a reality.
Haralsingh also used the opportunity to inform patrons that Guyana will be hosting the 2012 Sustainable Tourism conference in April “where both the international media and attention will be on Guyana…this is a massive event that will help define and position Guyana as a sustainable tourism destination.”
